Visiting Fort William this year? Check out our top tips for leaving a positive impact on your holiday!
In summer Fort William is bursting with life with hundreds of thousands visiting our glens, hills and town. Though it is great to see the Fort so busy, not everyone stays to explore the true treasures of Fort William. Quick one stop trips negatively impact local economies and prevent visitors from really experiencing and enjoying the places they visit. So if you want to break away from mainstream tourism and positively impact your holiday destination this year here’s what to do!
Stay a while
Don’t pass through for a day and hit the top tourist destinations, stay for a week and make a day out of one activity! Cycle there and experience all there is to enjoy along the way, you’ll be surprised at how much there is. Indulge and explore a path when you’re not sure where it leads, take a detour just for the adventure and linger somewhere that makes you feel something. When you finally get to your destination it will be all the richer for the memories you’ve made on the way.
Check out some of our favourite day routes for inspiration on where to explore. Here’s our Gairlochy Loop: head out along the Great Glen Way with great views of the North Face of Ben Nevis. Cycle along the Caledonian Canal (with incredible bird life) to Gairlochy and take in the scenery at the wee lighthouse, which is a favourite wild swimming spot. Then head over to the Commando Memorial and a coffee stop at Spean Bridge. Return via forest trails through Leanachan Forest to Nevis Range. Stop here for a coffee and the option for a lap or two on the single track trails before heading back into town.
Join in with local groups
Fort William’s mountain bike scene is thriving so come and be a part of it! There are so many local groups you can join for a day. Meet like minded folk and ride the local trails, maybe they’ll even invite you for a pint after.
Check out the Off Beat Bike Free test ride’s and ladies social rides. They are the perfect way to spend a morning or afternoon. Meet our lovely staff, learn about the demo bikes and see the Fort William area by bike! If swimming is more your thing come join our Blue Mind Swims for a dip in Loch Linnhe. See our social media pages for dates and times!
The Fort William Foxes run ladies only and mixed social rides every month so check out their page if you’re looking for some friends to bike with.
The West Highland Wheelers are busy bees with loads of rides and events for you to join in. Fancy a last minute race, keep an eye out on their social media!
Keen to spend some time digging and chatting with other bikers? Volunteer with the Lochaber Trail Association on a dig day and help look after the trails in the area.
Shop local and shop small
Visit locally owned businesses, we love chatting to visitors! Whether it’s choosing a local cafe over a chain or popping in to see us, supporting small local businesses is an important way you can ensure your holiday has a positive impact on the area. You’ll feel better knowing your money is benefiting the community you’re visiting. Plus local businesses, like ours, are full of passionate people and known for great customer service – it’s a win-win when you shop local!
Look after the trail
If you’ve been riding in the Fort for a few days and loving the trails, give back to the community and join a Lochaber Trail Association dig day! It’s a great morning out with the best people about and there’s always cake. You can also come back to the Fort and ride the trail you helped build!
If you can’t make a dig day then do your part and look after the trails in your own way. It’s not hard, just be the good person you are! Pick up litter if you see it, that way you’ve not only had a great day out but left the area better than you found it- what a hero! Take care of the trails you use, don’t wreck them and if by accident you do, do your best to fix it so it’s safe for others.
Spend time getting to know the area
The best thing about visiting an area is creating amazing memories to take home and share with others. Immerse yourself in the culture, chat with locals and other visitors and explore every opportunity! Take days to relax in our beautiful hills or tackle the infamously rough Fort William Downhill Track. To get the most out of your time, hire a guide to take you on an adventure, you’ll see the main attractions and much more! Guides will help you understand the landscape you’re in and give you knowledge to take home and share with friends.
Travel light
Go by bike, train or bus wherever you can. Hire bikes from Off Beat Bikes to explore the area or travel between towns. We offer single-day and multi-day hires and have a fleet of bikes ready to take you on an adventure. Hire mountain bikes from us and fly down the Nevis Range Trails or cycle the Great Glen Way. If munching miles is for you, hire one of our touring bikes, pack a lunch and head somewhere for a munch – there’s no shortage of beautiful lunch spots in Lochaber. Just remember to help us look after the land and leave no trace.
Fancy a no-sweat cycle about? Hire an Ebike from us and immerse yourself in the landscape. Cycle further and faster than ever before along the gravel roads taking in the fresh air. Stop for a snack or swim then keep on going! If you love your ebike, come chat to us about our Ebikes and buy one to keep the adventures going.